Surgical treatment of aneurysms of the inferior left ventricular wall.

Experience with surgical treatment of 10 patients with aneurysms of the inferior wall of the left ventricle is presented. Six of the 10 aneurysms were false (pseudoaneurysms), and four were classified as true aneurysms. All except one resulted from myocardial infarction. Combined procedures, performed at the time of aneurysm resection, included mitral valve replacement (five patients), coronary artery bypass grafting (four patients), and closure of an interventricular septal defect (one patient). Three of four patients with true inferior aneurysms had mitral valve dysfunction, whereas only two of six patients with false aneurysms required mitral valve replacement (one because of infective endocarditis). Nine of the 10 patients survived operation, and all are functionally improved except one. On the basis of this and previously reported experience, it is concluded that a substantial proportion of inferior left ventricular aneurysms exhibit the pathological features of false aneurysms. Because of the associated propensity toward rupture of such lesions, an aggressive surgical approach is recommended.     

Combined resection of coronary and innominate artery aneurysms

Coexistent aneurysms of the coronary and inominate arteries are extremely rare. We present the case of a 28-year-old male with an aneurysm of the left anterior descending coronary artery and an aneurysm of the inominate artery presenting with hoarseness and severely depressed left ventricular function (ejection fraction of 25%). He underwent successful surgical resection of both aneurysms. The inominate artery aneurysm was excised and the brachiocephalic trunk was reconstructed off-pump. The coronary artery aneurysm was excised and distal aorto-coronary bypass grafting was done on cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Surgical repair of a left subclavian artery aneurysm causing stenosis of a left internal mammary graft-a case report

Subclavian artery aneurysms are extremely rare, accounting for approximately 0.1% of peripheral artery aneurysms. We present a case of a proximal left subclavian arterial aneurysm in a patient status post previous coronary artery bypass grafting; the aneurysm was complicated by involvement of the left internal mammary artery that had been previously utilized to revascularize the left anterior descending artery. Ostial stenosis of the internal mammary artery secondary to the aneurysm was present. Simultaneous reoperative coronary bypass surgery and repair of the left subclavian aneurysm was performed, with a good result. This is the second case reported in the literature of concomitant subclavian artery aneurysm repair and coronary revascularization.     

The treatment of patients with recurrent ventricular fibrillation.

During the four year period from 1972 to 1975, eleven patients, eight with recurrent and three with first attacks of ventricular fibrillation, underwent aortocoronary bypass graft and/or resection of ventricular aneurysm. All patients had old myocardial infarction from seven weeks to six years. Left ventricular angiography demonstrated discrete aneurysm of the anterior wall of the left ventricle in nine of the patients and akinesis or hypokinesis of the anterior and posterior wall of the left ventricle in the remaining two. Coronary angiography was carried out in ten patients and revealed significant disease of the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries in ten and nine patients, respectively. There was no operative mortality, and there were two late deaths. Eight patients have improved significantly and have had no further sign of ventricular irritability. The present study indicates that aortocoronary bypass graft and/or resection of ventricular aneurysm is an effective method of therapy for patients with repeacted ventricular fibrillation who have ventricular aneurysm and ischemic heart disease.     

Repair of mycotic coronary aneurysm without cardiopulmonary bypass: case report

Mycotic aneurysms of the coronary arteries are extremely rare, with 15 cases reported. We report the successful treatment of a mycotic aneurysm of the left anterior descending coronary artery by coronary artery bypass grafting with aneurysm ligation and resection without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.     

An autopsy case of persistent primitive hypoglossal artery with multiple cerebral aneurysms

An autopsy case of persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) with multiple cerebral aneurysms is reported. A 54-year-old man with subarachnoid hemorrhage was admitted to Kuwana Hospital three days after the onset. The patient was stuporous and had stiffness of the neck. A computed tomogram showed hematoma in the interhemispheric fissure, subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal cisterns and bilateral Sylvian fissures, and maxked dilatation of ventricles. Cerebral angiogram revealed the left PPHA and multiple aneurysms at the right anterior cerebral artery (A 2) (ruptured), anterior communicating artery, left anterior cerebral artery (A 1), left internal carotid-anterior choroidal artery junction, right internal carotid artery (C 1), and right middle cerebral artery. Neck clipping of the ruptured aneurysm and ventricular drainage were performed on the day of admission. Eight days after admission he died of rupture of the residual aneurysm. In pathological study, the PPHA was originated from the extracranial portion of the left internal carotid artery, 2 cm distal from the cervical carotid bifurcation, entered the intracranial space through the hypoglossal foramen, and turned into the basilar artery. There were six aneurysms which were shown on cerebral angiogram and another aneurysm on the left anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Microscopic examination revealed atherosclerotic change of the PPHA, true aneurysmal changes of the seven aneurysms and defect of tunica media (Forbus' medial gap) at all of the arterial bifurcations without early aneurysmal changes.     

Sutureless technique for subacute left ventricular free wall rupture: A case report of an 85-year-old.

This case was an 85-year-old female who developed left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) of the anterior wall 13 days after an acute myocardial infarction. She was further complicated with an ascending aortic aneurysm and severe aortic regurgitation. The wall was repaired using a sutureless technique with an autologous pericardial patch and GRF glue without cardiopulmonary bypass. Although the complication of a left ventricular aneurysm was seen, the postoperative course was uneventful. Nevertheless, she is doing well 9 months after surgery.     

Left ventricular pseudo-false aneurysm after a myocardial infarction; application of heart positioner

We herein present the case of a pseudo-false aneurysm which developed in a patient after a myocardial infarction in the posterior left ventricular wall. A 71-year-old man experienced an acute myocardial infarction due to occlusion in the left circumflex artery. Five weeks after the myocardial infarction, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a pseudo-false aneurysm at the posterior left ventricular wall. A patch closure of the aneurysm and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to both the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex arteries were successfully performed. At surgery, the Starfish Heart Positioner, a commercially available device that is designed to lift the heart during off-pump CABG, was found to be very useful for exposing the posterior left ventricular wall by lifting and fixing the apex of the left ventricle.     

Repair of left ventricular aneurysm. Changes in ventricular mechanics, hemodynamics, and oxygen consumption.

Anteroapical left ventricular aneurysms were produced in 23 sheep by coronary arterial ligation. Plication of the aneurysm does not change stroke volume or cardiac output and does not significantly change left ventricular oxygen consumption from the preoperative value of 5.1 +/- 2.6 ml/100 gm per minute. Plication, however, does increase left ventricular end-systolic elastance from 3.2 +/- 0.9 to 4.4 +/- 1.5 mm Hg/mm (p = 0.005). In nine of these sheep the midsagittal plane of the left ventricle was imaged by means of an array of sonomicrometry crystals before and after plication of the aneurysm. Regional wall stresses at end-systole and end-diastole and changes in diastolic function were calculated for anterior and posterior ventricular walls in the border zone adjacent to the aneurysm and in more basilar myocardium remote from the infarct. Plication significantly reduced end-systolic wall stresses and systolic stress integrals in the posterior border zone and remote myocardium, but it did not significantly change anterior wall systolic stresses or stress integrals. Plication also decreased diastolic stretching of border zone myocardium. Plication of anteroapical left ventricular aneurysm produced a shorter, more spherical ventricle and removed the dyskinetic segments but altered deformation (strain) in both circumferential and longitudinal directions. The changes in ventricular wall geometry and deformation provide an explanation for the increased ventricular end-systolic elastance and unchanged stroke volume observed after aneurysm plication.     

Repair of anteroseptal ventricular aneurysm

Anterior ventricular aneurysms are usually accompanied by fibrosis and dyskinetic tissue in the ventricular septum as well as in the anterior ventricular wall. Improved results have been obtained by including the septum in the repair of the aneurysm. Vein bypass grafts are directed to the circumflex and right coronary arteries with no attempt to revascularize the obliterated anterior descending coronary artery. Postoperative ventriculograms and arteriograms were obtained in 20 of the 29 patients. There have been 3 postoperative deaths. The majority of patients were clinically improved with evidence of improved ventricular function.     

Influence of left ventricular aneurysm on survival following the coronary bypass operation

Patients having coronary bypass and aneurysm resection (N = 40) or aneurysm plication (N = 32) were compared with patients having coronary bypass without aneurysm (N = 2782). Unlike other series, the primary indication for surgery in the aneurysm patients was angina pectoris, with heart failure playing a secondary role. Multivessel disease was present in 83% of the patients with aneurysm. Total occlusion of the anterior descending coronary artery was more prevalent in the group of patients who had aneurysmectomy (75%) than in rhe group of patients who had plication (38%), and more grafts/patient could be performed in the plication group (2.6 vs 2.0). Location of the aneurysm was most often anteroapical (N = 55) and infrequently inferior (N = 6). Septal wall motion was akinetic or aneurysmal in 47% of the aneurysmectomy group, and 10% of the plication group. Postoperative requirements for inotropes or intra-aortic balloon assist was much higher in the aneurysm group (aneurysmectomy or plication) than in patients without aneurysm having bypass. Hospital mortality for aneurysm patients was 2.7% versus 1.4% in patients without aneurysms having coronary bypass. The actuarial survival rate at 42 months for all aneurysm patients was 90%. Improvement in anginal symptoms after plication and coronary bypass (96%) was more frequent than with aneurysmectomy and coronary bypass (76%) and this was attributed to larger viable muscle mass and greater revascularization. Although two-thirds of patients having surgery for aneurysms had improvement in heart failure symptoms after operation, 30% of those having aneurysmectomies and 35% of those having plications said they were unimproved after surgery. However, this could be explained by the finding that a significant number (35% of the aneurysmectomy and 45% of the plication group) were in heart failure Class I prior to operation. Hospital mortality has been progressively reduced and late survival increased by the surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysm, primarily through early operation at a time when coronary bypass can be used as an adjunct to aneurysm resection or plication.     

A new surgical technique for fibrosed interventricular septum

We describe a new surgical technique for the treatment of fibrosed interventricular septum, with or without left ventricular aneurysm. It is designed for patients whose ventriculograms revealed important septal dysfunction. Eleven patients ranging from 37 to 66 years of age were operated upon between 1984 and 1988. The left ventricle was opened through the aneurysm or the anterior wall when only anterior septal fibrosis was present. In patients with large aneurysms, two purse-string sutures were placed on the inside surface of the intact ventricle, around its limits, for approximation. The fibrosed septum was thus excluded from the new ventricular cavity. A patch was placed between the fibrosed and the healthy septum, reaching to the ventricular wall, all around the transitional edge. Both, ventricular geometry and function were improved. All patients were asymptomatic after one year follow-up.     

Paced latissimus dorsi used for dynamic cardiomyoplasty of left ventricular aneurysms

Two patients are described, each with a large left ventricular aneurysm and severe coronary artery disease, and each with an ejection fraction lower than 30% and in congestive heart failure. In both, the left latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was used in the repair of the ventricular aneurysm because preoperative studies demonstrated that there was concomitant coronary artery disease, and there was a strong suggestion that resection of the entire aneurysm would seriously compromise the residual ventricular capacity. One patient had an 18-year history of coronary occlusion with two infarctions. A large, calcified ventricular aneurysm developed, and despite vigorous medical treatment, intractable congestive heart failure and angina persisted. The diffuse coronary artery disease made this patient a poor candidate for bypass grafting. The other patient sustained an acute myocardial infarction 5 months prior to operation. The left anterior descending coronary artery was totally occluded, and a large apical aneurysm developed along with an akinetic anterior wall and septum. After his heart attack, the patient had progressive dyspnea on exertion. Following operation in both patients, the transpositioned LD, then a component in the repair of the left ventricular wall, was electrically trained to synchronously contract with each systole, driven by a standard dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker. Steady improvement and a return to normal activities were observed in both patients. There was an indication of improved ejection fraction with synchronous contraction of the skeletal muscle.     

Impending Rupture of a Blunt Trauma-Induced Left Ventricular Aneurysm: Report of a Case

Most left ventricular true aneurysms that occur secondary to blunt trauma gradually become symptomatic as they enlarge, which validates conservative management as a reasonable initial course of action. We report a case of impending rupture of a left ventricular true aneurysm that showed rapid expansion within a few weeks. A 17-year-old youth was involved in a head-on collision into a car while riding a motorcycle. He underwent repair of a ruptured jejunum and internal fixation of a fractured femur; 28 days after the accident, he was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation. His chest X-ray just before the transfer was normal. He was re-admitted to our hospital 58 days after the accident complaining of anterior chest pain and dyspnea. Echocardiography showed impending rupture of a left ventricular aneurysm. We performed emergency open repair of a left ventricular true aneurysm with a very thin wall. We report this case to show that even a true aneurysm of the left ventricle should be carefully monitored from the early stage, considering the possibility of rupture.     

Dissecting aneurysm of ventricular septum following acute inferior myocardial infarction

Dissecting aneurysm of the ventricular septum as a complication after myocardial infarction (MI) is very rare. The patient was a 70-year-old women who was diagnosed with acute inferior MI. Three months after MI, catheterization showed a left ventricular aneurysm of the inferior wall, and left-to-right ventricular shunt flow was detected in the aneurysm. Echocardiography showed that the inferior left ventricular free wall was aneurysmal and dissected from the septal wall. Nine months after MI, chronic heart failure was uncontrollable by medication. At surgery, a tear (5 mm long) in the dissecting aneurysm of the ventricular septum was found and closed directly using 2 felt patches, and aneurysmectomy was performed using felt strips. The postoperative course was uneventful and she has been free from any complication for over 1 year.     

Giant Left Ventricular Aneurysm Complicating Silent Inferoposterior Myocardial Infarction

Abstract   Background: True ventricular aneurysm in the inferior location is rare. A 54-year-old male was evaluated for recurrent heart failure. Method: The echocardiogram showed large aneurysm arising from the inferoposterior wall of the left ventricle and severe mitral regurgitation. Results: The coronary angiogram revealed occluded right coronary artery (RCA) in the mid segment. Conclusion: The patient underwent aneurysm repair and coronary artery bypass grafting to RCA.     

Mycotic coronary artery aneurysm from fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis

Two cases of mycotic aneurysms of the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients with fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis are reported. One was managed with exclusion and interposition graft, and the other was managed by aneurysm excision, wide debridement, and distal bypass. The current literature and management strategies are reviewed.     

A penetrating cardiac wound by a flying metallic fragment

A 54-year-old man suddenly felt a strike on his chest while mowing with a machine. At first he had no symptoms except for wound pain, but several hours later, he suffered from high fever with chilliness. The chest roentgenogram showed a foreign body localized within the cardiac shadow. The echocardiogram revealed that the metallic fragment was embedded in the inferior wall of the left ventricle. It appeared that the fragment entered the left ventricular cavity through his anterior chest wall, the right ventricular outflow tract and the ventricular septum. At the operation, the location of the foreign body was again confirmed by the intraoperative echocardiography and the fragment was successfully removed through a left ventricular incision under cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course was uneventful and the case was reported with a review of the literature.     

Off-pump surgery for multiple coronary artery fistulas with aneurysm

A 78-year-old woman presented with acute myocardial infarction, anterior wall, Killip III, with congestive heart failure. The finding of coronary angiographic examination was multiple congenital coronary artery fistulas with a huge aneurysm, with fistulas originating from both the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery. The patient received surgery successfully without cardiopulmonary bypass. The finding of the pathologic examination revealed hyaline change in the aneurysmal vessel wall. In a two-year follow-up, the patient was found to be asymptomatic clinically with improved left ventricular function.     

Ruptured anterior paraclinoid aneurysms

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from ruptured anterior (dorsal) paraclinoid aneurysms. Anterior paraclinoid aneurysms are defined as aneurysms arising from the anterolateral wall of the proximal internal carotid artery without any relationship to an arterial branch. Between 1991 and 2008, a total of 159 patients with 169 paraclinoid aneurysms were treated at the Shinshu University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals. A retrospective analysis was carried out using charts, operation records, operation videos, and neuroimagings. Twenty six patients had anterior paraclinoid aneurysm. Six patients presented with SAH. Three aneurysms were saccular and the others were blister-like aneurysms based on operative findings. Neck laceration or premature rupture frequently happened during the clipping surgery even though the aneurysm was saccular type. The treatment of a ruptured anterior paraclinoid aneurysm is quite difficult. Trapping and bypass would be recommended for such fragile aneurysms.